'Appliance' Car. Auto, Reliable, £5-9k

[anonymous-user]

A friend of mine who has zero interest in cars is looking for a 2nd car, must be auto.

Reliability is a key factor so I'm thinking Korean/Japanese, petrol naturally aspirated. She has 3 teenage kids so a decent amount of room in the back would definitely be preferable.

My guess is a Yaris would be too small, so current shortlist is Auris, Civic, Jazz, Cee'd, i30, i20, Qashqai, Mazda3, CX3. Obviously that's a fairly wide net, but if anyone has any feedback on the above or known issues with any them I'd be very grateful.

[Pistonheader101]

have you looked at fiat pandas

[grudas]

lexus rx400h ?

[colin79666]

Lexus CT200h. Not huge in the back but it does seat 4 adults ok. An early example should be within budget now.

[LightningBlue]

Hard to go wrong with most Japanese or Korean makes (except perhaps Nissan), but non car people seem to love Qashqais and Jukes. I think you’re better off stepping back with someone who doesn’t have an interest in cars. They often have strange sticking points that petrol heads wouldn’t consider and any advice is likely to backfire if the car goes wrong.

[ZX10R NIN]

MrBig said:

A friend of mine who has zero interest in cars is looking for a 2nd car, must be auto.

Reliability is a key factor so I'm thinking Korean/Japanese, petrol naturally aspirated. She has 3 teenage kids so a decent amount of room in the back would definitely be preferable.

My guess is a Yaris would be too small, so current shortlist is Auris, Civic, Jazz, Cee'd, i30, i20, Qashqai, Mazda3, CX3. Obviously that's a fairly wide net, but if anyone has any feedback on the above or known issues with any them I'd be very grateful.

At the higher part of her budget she'll get a new shape 1.4T Astra in Elite or SRI Nav spec from a main dealer so she'll get a years warranty that she could extend foe added peace of mind.

These are reliable sensible to maintain & at the moment represent great value (in this segment) when it comes to age/spec/reliability/running costs & space.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102209...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103039...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104061...

SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103300...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009274...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012096...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103099...

There's the i30 SE but I think the Astra above is a better car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010014...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103059...

Now depending on how big her kids are she may want more space & the 1.5T Mondeo is a good pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011206...

Or the Lexus IS250 Advance:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103260...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103140...

F Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103220...

Fiat Tipo Lounge Edition

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...

At the lower part of the budget rep cars are great value.

Insignia

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104051...

2.3 N\A Mondeo

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008242...

2.0 Mazda6 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010094...

Saab 9-3 Vector Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101097...

[rosejem]

Just over budget , a Civic 1.8 petrol auto Estate could be ideal. Good workhorse proven 1.8 engine & torque converter auto box.

[snowandrocks]

As above, Civic Tourer with the 1.8 Vtec and proper auto. Spacious, nice to drive and very reliable.

Auris hybrid worth a look too - economical, very cheap to run and possibly even more reliable than the civic.

I'd avoid smaller turbo units if they plan on keeping the car long term.

Edited by snowandrocks on Monday 19th April 21:18